Air France to Shift All Paris Operations to Charles De Gaulle Airport

Air France, in response to diminishing demand and shifting government policies, will transfer its operations at Orly Airport to its subsidiary, Transavia.

Citing declining demand for domestic business travel and government initiatives aimed at reducing domestic flights within France, Air France will relocate all domestic operations to Charles De Gaulle International Airport (CDG) in Paris.

Transavia, Air France's low-cost subsidiary, will take over operations at Paris-Orly Airport (ORY). The airline plans to complete this transition by 2026, consolidating all domestic and international flights at Charles De Gaulle International.

Despite this transition, Air France has committed to serving domestic destinations and French overseas territories until 2026. The decision to move to CDG was based on factors such as the increased use of videoconferencing, reduced domestic business travel, and a shift toward rail travel, as recommended by the government and corporate social responsibility policies. These factors have led to a significant decrease in demand for Air France's domestic point-to-point network, resulting in a 40% decline in traffic on domestic routes from ORY between 2019 and 2023.

Until the transition is complete, Air France will maintain service to Toulouse, Marseille, Nice, and the French Overseas departments from Paris-Orly. During the adaptation process, the airline will increase capacity from CDG to select domestic and overseas territory destinations.

Transavia, in consultation with relevant authorities, will commence services to Toulouse, Marseille, and Nice from ORY starting in the summer of 2026. Air France will maintain 90% of its current capacity between Paris and these three cities, as well as its flying program to overseas territories, ensuring a strong brand presence in all markets and adaptability to evolving travel demand.

Air France assured that the impact on its employees will be minimal. Colleagues based in French regions will be offered voluntary transfers or departures, while Toulouse, Marseille, and Nice flight crew bases will remain intact. CDG staffing requirements will ensure that all ORY-based Air France employees receive equivalent positions at the Roissy site. The airline will collaborate with unions to find the best solutions for affected employees.

In May 2023, the French government officially banned short-haul flights on routes with viable rail alternatives. The criteria stipulate that the train journey must take no more than two and a half hours, connecting the same cities previously served by flights, with multiple daily schedules that allow travelers at least eight hours at their destination before returning.

Air France-KLM Group emphasized its collaboration with industry partners, governments, and stakeholders to advocate for sustainable travel choices during its annual shareholder meeting in June 2023. KLM, a subsidiary of the group, is also working to shift passengers from planes to trains. In 2022, KLM partnered with Eurostar (formerly Thalys) to offer train options between Brussels and Amsterdam, reducing its flights on the route. The Dutch airline expanded this initiative in 2023, further aligning with its commitment to sustainability.

Source: simpleflying.com